I propose to take question Nos. 11 and 12 together. I am happy to have an opportunity to bring the Deputies up to date with recent developments in this area.
Because of my concern at the delay that had occurred in ratifying these international instruments, I supported the establishment, in July 1983, of an interdepartmental committee, under the chairmanship of the former Attorney General, to examine Ireland's ratification of international covenants and conventions with particular reference to human rights. The committee produced their first report in December 1984 on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights including the Optional Protocol to the Covenant. The report contains an examination of the obstacles in Irish law to Ireland's ratifying the two UN Covenants and details the domestic legislation that may be required to enable Ireland to comply fully with all the obligations it would assume under the terms of the Covenants.
I intend to present a memorandum to Government within the coming weeks seeking approval for the necessary steps to be taken to remove these obstacles and for work to commence on the preparation of necessary legislation.
It was the intention of the interdepartmental committee to consider the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination in its first report. However, because the necessary detailed consideration of the Convention would have delayed unduly the committee's report, the committee decided to postpone their consideration of the Convention and concentrate on the Covenants. I hope that the committee will commence soon their consideration of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination and will report on the requirements necessary for Ireland to comply fully with the obligations it would assume on becoming party to this Convention.
